Ruby Scott
is months behind on rent and can’t seem to land a steady job. She has one
chance to turn things around with a big audition. But instead of getting her
big break, she gets sick as a dog and completely bombs it in the most
humiliating fashion. All thanks to a mysterious, gorgeous guy who kissed—and
then coughed on—her at a party the night before.

Luckily, her best friend might have found the
perfect opportunity; a job staying at the lavish penthouse apartment of hotel
magnate Bancroft Mills while he’s out of town, taking care of his exotic pets.
But when the newly-evicted Ruby arrives to meet her new employer, it turns out
Bane is the same guy who got her sick.

Seeing his role in Ruby’s dilemma, Bane offers
her a permanent job as his live-in pet sitter until she can get back on her
feet. Filled with hilariously awkward encounters and enough sexual tension to
heat a New York City block, Shacking Up, from NYT and USA Today bestselling
author Helena Hunting, is sure to keep you laughing and swooning all night
long.

REVIEW

I have heard nothing but amazing things about Helena Hunting books , however I have unfortunately not gotten the chance to read this any books as yet (until now ) ,so when I get the chance to read an Arc of Shacking Up I was so excited to dive in and Oh My Gosh was this book fantastic.Helena Hunting is Amazing !

In this book we Ruby and Bane and lets just say there relationship had a very interesting start ,however now that Ruby is basically out of place to live and has no steady job yet , her best friend has a solution for her , become house sitter & pet sitter and guess who the house & pets belongs to ? Bane ,this is really where the story takes off. I love the romance between these two from the very beginning you could see that these two were attracted to each other, but as we get deeper into the story you see these feeling intensifying . The moments where you see them together in a romantic way has to be some of my favorite moments , but honestly just seeing them have a regular conversation made me happy. if I had to describe there romance in 3 words they would be sexy , fun and swoony. Besides the fantastic romance there was so much other things happening in this story , I loved Ruby relationship with her best friend , bane's exotic pets , I could go on and on about things I love in this story . Shaking Up was a fantastic story , I was rapidly turning each page needing to know what would happen next . I felt like Ruby and Bane got a perfect story and I cannot wait to see what Helena Hunting will write next ( I am going through her back list for other books to read by her while as soon as I am finish with this review) . If you are looking for sexy romantic comedy that will make it hard for you to even think about pressing the off button on your reading device or closing the book then you should definitely get a copy of Shacking Up as soon as you can .

2.Where did you get inspiration
for the character’s names, particularly Bancroft aka Bane?

Once
I met a police officer (I wasn’t doing anything illegal) who introduced himself
as Bancroft. I thought that was his last name, so I sassily introduced myself
by my last name as well. Then he corrected me, telling me that his first name was Bancroft, and I felt
obviously ridiculous. He was a mammoth man. He practically had to duck through
doorways, so I put that one in the name bank for a rainy day. I also thought it
was rather hilarious that it could be shortened to Bane—as in the bane of my
existence, which we know Bancroft certainly is not. Ruby is a spunky name and I
thought reflected the heroine’s fiery personality.

3.Shacking Up is hilarious! How easily
does the banter between the characters come for you? Do you ever struggle writing
the humor in your books?

With
Ruby and Bane the banter came easily because there weren’t a lot of social
constraints or limitations for them. At the beginning they’re working under the
premise of a business arrangement, so the pressure is off and Ruby isn’t really
one to hold back,. Neither is Bane for that matter. I have such a fun time
creating off the wall, sometimes sexually tense scenes, especially with these
two.

4.Do you ever make yourself laugh
when writing a scene?

Yes.
I feel weird saying that, but there are times when I’m imagining what is
happening as I’m writing and thinking “this is just ridiculous”. My hope is
that if I think it’s ridiculous, so will other people, and it will inspire the
same reaction. Francesca certainly helped make it a lot easier to fit in fun, light-hearted
situations.

5.What inspired Bane’s exotic
choice in pets?

Ferrets
are freaking adorable, but they are menaces if they’re left to their own
devices. They’re also a lot like dogs and cats, but they require a different
kind of care, the fact that they’re illegal in NYC also helped. As for Tiny—I
think a lot of people would be reluctant to take care of a giant spider, no
matter how cool they are as pets. I felt like both of them would be lend for
some funny situations.

6.The heroes in your Pucked series are all hockey stars, and
Bane in Shacking Up is an ex-rugby
player. Is it safe to say you have a thing for athletes?

I
guess you could say I have a fascination with athletes. That level of physical
fitness takes an extraordinary amount of discipline, plus STAMINA!!! More than
just being an athlete, I have an affinity for heroes who show loyalty and determination
and who are just as much about brain as brawn.

7.Ruby is a bit of a rebel,
defying her family to go after her dreams. What do you love most about her?

I
love that despite things not always going her way, she refuses to take the easy
way out. Our paths are not always linear and Ruby is very willing to make
concessions where she needs to in order to prove to herself and her family that
she can attain her goals.

8.Why are Bane and Ruby so
perfect for each other?

They’re
both very goal oriented people with the same core values. Ruby is a firecracker
and Bane needs someone with that level of sass to challenge him. For Ruby, Bane
is an inherent caretaker, BUT he tries not to force that care on her which is
something she can appreciate.

9.Are there any books or authors
you’re really excited about right now?

I’m
excited for Ann Marie Walkers BLACK TIE OPTIONAL. I recently devoured Jana
Aston’s Grind Me Series and Debra Anastasia is writing the most awesome book
right now, and I can’t wait until it’s ready for public consumption.

Author
Bio

New York Times and USA Todaybestselling author of PUCKED,
Helena Hunting lives on the outskirts of Toronto with her incredibly tolerant
family and two moderately intolerant cats. She's writes contemporary romance
ranging from new adult angst to romantic sports comedy.